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Chester Zoo staff 'devastated' after fire | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Chester Zoo staff say they are "devastated" some animals died in Saturday's fire. | |
The blaze broke out in the roof of the Monsoon Forest area, leading to an evacuation of visitors. The zoo said the cause of the fire was unknown. | |
Orangutans, macaques, gibbons and larger birds were saved, but some frogs, fish, insects and small birds were lost in the fire. | |
The zoo said it was "one of the toughest days in its history'. | |
In a statement, it said: "It's absolutely heart-breaking to lose any animal, especially when conservationists have worked so hard to breed these wonderful species." | |
The tourism attraction, which has more than 21,000 animals, said all the creatures led to safety were being relocated within the site. | |
Jamie Christon, the zoo's chief operating officer, said: "Yesterday was one of the toughest days in Chester Zoo's long history. | |
"Keepers were able to encourage all mammal species away from the fire and to safety - including the zoo's group of critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques, endangered silvery gibbons and birds such as rhinoceros hornbills. | |
"We are though, devastated to say that we were unable to save some of our insects, frogs, fish and small birds who were located near to the outbreak of the fire." | |
The site reopened to visitors on Sunday, but a zoo spokesperson said the Monsoon Forest area and Islands zone would remain shut. | |
Fifteen fire crews and ambulance staff attended after the blaze broke out just before 11:30 GMT on Saturday. | Fifteen fire crews and ambulance staff attended after the blaze broke out just before 11:30 GMT on Saturday. |
One person was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. | One person was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. |
The zoo said an investigation would take place over the coming weeks. | |
Following the fire, it set up a fundraising website, appealing for £50,000 towards its conservation work. | |
The Monsoon Forest habitat is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction. It opened in August 2015. | The Monsoon Forest habitat is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction. It opened in August 2015. |
The 14-acre section has its own climate, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions in South East Asia. | |
Mr Christon said: "The strength and support from the public has been incredibly overwhelming and the messages of goodwill have been of great comfort to our teams. | |
"We will support each other in rebuilding this part of the zoo and continue our mission of preventing extinction." | |